One day as I dove down the YouTube rabbit hole, I stumbled across a video by an individual named Josh Keefe. The premise of the video is summed up in these lines...
I think that if we believe in an infinite creator who has used creativity to create the cosmos... and has put that very same creativity in us... we should be doing much more. If anybody should be making the most creative [music] in existence, I believe it is those who believe in a creative being. ("The Problem with Christian Music", Josh Keefe)
He goes on in the video to explain how he has been disappointed in the amount of predictability and conformity we see in Christian music and movies, suggesting that many people simply buy the albums and watch the movies because they carry the title Christian. In fact, in the description of another video aimed at movies, he writes...
As Christians who believe in a limitless creative God, should we demand better films or settle for what is given to us because its Christian? ("Why Christian Movies are BAD", Josh Keefe)
I happen to agree with Josh Keefe's assessment of Christian music and movies and it is one reason why I can't really bring myself to listen to it all the time. I was raised in a church that would commonly cite "listening to Christian radio" as one way to eliminate sinful influence in your life from being assaulted by secular pop culture. The actual effect that had was forcing me to consume art I legitimately didn't enjoy and now can't stand.
In our Christian walks, we are constantly faced with choices regarding how to live our life. Sometimes we are tempted to think that there is a specific way to live or philosophy to live by that is somehow "more Christian". You're expected to act, talk, and "do" a certain way because that's what the Christian "team" does. Unfortunately, life is more complicated than that. Not everyone can follow the same path as a matter of ministry, hobby/career, social life, etc. It is no wonder, then, that when the Bible talks about unity it speaks of matters of the heart more than it speaks about conformity.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. 14 Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17, CSB)
I highlight several elements of this passage because it shows what it means to be on a true "Christian team". It's not about how you dress, it's about how you forgive. It's not about how you talk, it's about how you love. It's not about how you "do church", it's about doing whatever speaks to you in the name of Jesus.
It is a shame when Christians either are made to feel alienated or self-alienate simply because they can not accept that we are diverse. But, we can take solace in knowing that our physical, mental, and emotional diversity is a part of God's beautiful design. We are different because God saw difference as "good". Man and woman are different. Each tree is different. The stars and the waves are all different. In much of God's unspoiled creation, we see the exact opposite of conformity; we see creativity. Why, then, is it often so hard to find followers of this infinitely creative God who seem scared of creative expressions of faith?
We should seek to live our lives in a way that embraces this diversity and creativity. See someone worshiping, evangelizing, and discipling different than you? Celebrate it rather than judge it. What makes us united is not made of culture and tradition, but of grace afforded to all by Christ's sacrifice made on the cross. The world is diverse and beautiful. We are diverse and beautiful. You are diverse and beautiful. Let's all celebrate that which God has already made beautiful.
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